Sarcopenia, obesity, and their association with selected behavioral factors in active older adults

Kaja Teraž; Miloš Kalc; Manca Peskar; Saša Pišot; Boštjan Šimunič; Rado Pišot; Primož Pori

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1129034

Sarcopenia, obesity, and their association with selected behavioral factors in active older adults

Front Physiol. 2023 Feb 23:14:1129034. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1129034. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Kaja Teraž^{1

2}, Miloš Kalc^{1

3}, Manca Peskar^{1

4}, Saša Pišot¹, Boštjan Šimunič¹, Rado Pišot¹, Primož Pori²

Affiliations

¹ Institute for Kinesiology Research, Science and Research Centre, Koper, Slovenia.
² Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
³ Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
⁴ Biological Psychology and Neuroergonomics, Department of Psychology and Ergonomics, Faculty V: Mechanical Engineering and Transport Systems, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

Abstract

Introduction: The number of obese people in the world is increasing, as is the number of sarcopenic people among the older adults. Although both states are concerning, they can be positively influenced by selected behavioral factors such as adequate nutrition and physical activity. We were interested in the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in active older people and the influence of behavioral factors on this phenomenon. Methods: The study included 38 older adults (21 women) with a mean age of 75.3 ± 5.0 years. Sarcopenic parameters were determined with different tests: Handgrip Test, Chair Stand Test, Gait Speed, Timed Up and Go Test, and Short Physical Performance Battery. Body composition was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Physical activity level was measured using accelerometers, and nutritional status was assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment and MEDLIFE Index questionnaire. Results: Of all included active participants (the average number of steps per day was 8,916 ± 3,543), 47.4% of them were obese. Of all included women, 52.4% were obese. Sarcopenic obesity was found in three (7.9%) participants. Nutritional status correlated with strength of lower extremities and physical performance tests (gait speed, Timed Up and Go Test and Short Physical performance battery). Higher number of steps per day positively correlates with physical performance. Discussion: Interestingly, we did not find any correlation between the main obesity parameter such as percent body fat or body mass index (and thus sarcopenic obesity) and any of the selected behavioral factors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, or dietary habits). In conclusion, reaching the recommended levels of physical activity in older adults may not be sufficient to prevent the occurrence of obesity and sarcopenic obesity.

Keywords: aging; body composition; healthy lifestyle; nutrition; physical activity.

Grants and funding

The study was conducted in the framework of the PANGeA project, CB147 Physical Activity and Nutrition for Quality Ageing, supported by the Cross-border Cooperation Program Slovenia–Italy 2007–2013 and cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund Grant 042-2/2009-18/052012. Moreoever, the measurements were financed within ARRS Research program (P5-0381) Kinesiology for quality of life and as well by Slovenian National Project L5-5550, Development of noninvasive marker for muscle atrophy, Grant 1000-15-1988.